Leg structure for furniture



May 1, 1962 G. NELSON ETAL LEG STRUCTURE FOR FURNITURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Aug. 3, 1959 INVENTOR GEO/96E NELSON CHARLES R POLL OCK ATTORNEYSy 1962 G. NELSON ET AL 3,032,307

LEG STRUCTURE FOR FURNITURE Filed Aug. 3, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5o 54 52so INVENTOR GEORGE NELSON 0/4/4355 #2 macaw BY Q33 ATTORNEYS Unitedfitates Patent poration of Michigan Filed Aug. 3, 1959, Ser. No. 831,2431 Claim. (Cl. 248-194) This invention relates to furniture and moreparticularly to a novel pedestal construction for furniture utilizing asimple high speed means of anchoring the independent legs of thepedestal into an assembly.

Furniture pedestals employing a multiplicity of independent leg elementsclustered together to form a single supporting unit have long been knownin the furniture art. While these have distinct functional and aestheticadvantages, they have been considered too costly for many applications.This has arisen from the complexity of the problems involved in firmlysecuring the legs together to withstand the long and severe loadingcharacteristic of furniture usage. This is particularly true ofpedestals for chairs. Although the conventionally employed attachmentand assembly means for this type of pedestal structure is complex andexpensive, as a whole such pedestal assemblies have been characterizedby early failure due to the torsional and racking loads applied inusage.

This invention provides a simple and effective solution to this problem.The resulting pedestal is stable and capable of withstanding the mostsevere racking and torsional loads. Its nature is such that it issimple, quick and inexpensive to assemble and involves the usage ofrelatively low cost components.

The invention provides a positive lock between the independent standardmembers of the pedestal. This lock is of a nature that it is not subjectto failure under racking and torsional loads.

Besides its structural advantages, it also affords an assembly structurefor this type cf pedestal capable of complete concealment. It isadaptable to many types of leg structures and thus may be utilized witha wide variety of design concepts and configurations. The simplicity ofits assembly permits the units to be shipped in knocked-down conditionsince the only tool the customer has to have to assemble the pedestal isa common screw driver.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will beimmediately understood by those acquainted with the design andconstruction of furniture upon reading the following specification andthe accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an oblique bottom view of a chair incorporating thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of a pedestal assembly incorporatingthis invention;

FIG. 3 is a partially broken fragmentary sectional view taken along theplane III-III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partially broken fragmentary sectional view taken along theplane IV-IV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the assembled pedestal.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the base fitting used for securing thepedestal to the chail shell;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the base fitting illustrated in FIG.6;

FIG. 8 is an oblique exploded view of a modified tie stud constructionfor this invention;

FIG. 9 is a central sectional elevation view of the assembled tie studsillustrated in FIG. 8;

FIG. '10 is an oblique view of .a modified spacer construction for thisinvention;

FIG. '11 is a sectional view taken along the plane XI- of joining theshell to the pedestal.

XI of FIG. 5 but illustrating the use of the spacer shown in FIG. 10with a hexalegged pedestal.

In executing the objects and purposes of this invention, there isprovided a pedestal having four separate standards. These are assembledinto a cluster adjacent their upper portion. In this area each of thestandards has a straight shank portion. The pedestals are arranged inpairs oriented normal to each other. The standards of each pair arejoined by a tension member. The tension member is surrounded by a spacerwhich predetermines the desired spacing between them. The lateral widthof the spacer of one pair is equal to the length of the spacer of theother pair whereby the legs, when assembled, are in bearing with thespacer along their joining tension member and with the spacer joiningthe other pair. The tops of the legs are provided with means to fixedlysecure them to the unit of furniture for whose support they are to beused.

Referring specifically to the drawings and to FIG. 1, there isillustrated a chair having a pedestal 1, a shell 2 and a base fitting 3.The base fitting serves the purpose Since this invention lies in thestructure of the pedestal, the fact that a chair shell 2 is illustratedas being used with the pedestal is to be considered as merely a means ofshowing a total embodiment of the invention as applied to a piece offurniture rather than as showing a limitation of the invention.

This pedestal may be applied to any type of furniture or a to any otherobjects requiring support.

The base fitting 3 has a plurality of outwardly extending arms 10, eachof which is joined at its end to the shell 2 through a resilient mount11. The resilient mounts 11 are secured to the shell by any suitablemeans such as adhesive bonding. Assembly of the base fitting 3 to themounts 11 is by means of screws 12. The base fitting 3 also has fiatembossments 13 on its lower face for mounting the hereinafter describedpedestal assembly 1.

It will be recognized that in other applications of this invent on, thepedestal may be attached directly to the unit it is used to support,thereby omitting the base fitting 3. I

Referring specifically to FIGS. 2 and 5, the pedestal -1 in thepreferred embodiment illustrated has four legs -or standards 20. Asillustrated, these legs are identical in configuration and length. Thisis not essential to the invention since the legs may be differentlengths if it is desired to adapt the standard to an inclined unit. Itis also-not essential that they be of the same configuration except intheir upper portions. Each of the legs 20 has a foot portion 21,designed to make floor contact and extended outwardly from the geometriccenter of the pedestal sufiiciently to provide adequate stability.

The upper portion of each of the legs 20 is identical and includes astraight shank portion 22. Each of the shank portions 22 terminates atits upper end in an anchor lug 23. While the anchor lugs make a simpleand convenient means of securing the legs to the unit with which theyare to be used, such as the base fitting 3, other means of attachmentmay be employed at this point without affecting this invention.

The legs 20 are arranged in pairs, the first pair being identified bythe numeral 24 and the other pair being identified by the numeral 25.The legs of each of the pairs are arranged wtih their shank portionsparallel and spaced apart. Each of the shank portions of each of thelegs is provided wtih an internal embossment 30. The embossments 30 areinternally threaded to receive the threaded stud 31 (FIG. 3) Surroundingeach of the studs 31 is a spacer 32. As illustrated in FIG. 3, each ofthe shank portions of each of legs 20 has a pair of embossments 30, onespaced lengthwise of the shank portion from the other. This is notnecessary but does per- 3 rnit a single leg structure to be used in allfour positions in this pedestal. As illustrated in FIG. 3, theembossments 30, stud 31 and spacer 32 of the leg pair 25 are alldisplaced vertically from the corresponding embossments 30a (FIG. 4),the stud 31a and the spacer 32a of the leg pair 24. It is important tothis invention that the width of the spacer 32 be equal to the length ofthe spacer 32a and that the width of the spacer 32a be equal to thelength of the spacer 32. This is necessary because the sides of each ofthe spacers must be in bearing with the adjacent walls of the shankportions of the legs of the other pair when the pairs are assembled toform a pedestal. It is also important to this invention that the studs31, and accordingly their associated spacers 32. be located at somedistance from the point of attachment of the adjacent ends of the legs20 to the unit to which the pedestal is to be secured. This requirementis based upon the fact that the stability or strength of an attachmentmade at two points increases in proportion to the spacing between thetwo points of attachment. It is obvious to prevent mechanicalinterference that the studs 31 and 31a, as they are constructed, must bedisplaced longitudinally of the shank portions 22 as is illustrated byFIGS. 3 and 4.

An anchor lug 23 is rigidly secured to the upper end of each of theindividual legs 20 by suitable means such as welding. In the preferredembodiment shown, the anchor lugs are elongated and project outwardlyfrom the upper end of each leg in alignment with and over the feet 21.At the outer end of each of the anchor lugs 23 is an opening 40. Theopening 40 in the four anchor lugs 23, when the pedestal is assembled,align with corresponding openings 41 in the base fitting 3. The anchorlugs are secured to the base fitting 3 by suitable means such as thescrews 42. When the screws 42 are tightened, the upper surfaces of theanchor lugs 23 will be pulled into tight abutment with the faces of theembossments 13.

The pedestal assembly, once joined securely to the base fitting 3 or toany other rigid structure substituting for the base fitting 3, is stableand durable. Each individual leg is secured at three points. The firstpoint is its threaded attachment at it embossment 30 to the stud 31.Since this stud is also threadly engaged to a similar embossment in theopposite leg of a pair of legs, separation of the legs axially of thestud 31 at this point is impossible. Also, at this point, the legs ofthe assembled pair preferably are drawn tightly against the ends of thebushing surroundIng the stud 31. This provides a substantial area ofbearing contact supporting the legs against rocking motion in a verticaldirection about the stud 31.

The second point of contact is the bearing between the inside surfacesof the assembled leg pair with the spacer associated with the other pairof legs making up the pedestal. This point of contact is spacedvertically from the point of contact with the spacer surrounding thestud joining the particular pair. Thus, the bushings provide two pointsof contact and, therefore, a reasonably stable structure.

Limited twisting motion of the legs about each other may occur, however,in some assemblies because of accumulated tolerances. This is entirelyeliminated when the anchor lugs 23 are secured to the base fitting 3 orits equivalent. This latter attachment provides a third point ofanchorage spaced from both of the other two points of anchoragepreviously explained. The result is a highly stable structure capable ofwithstanding severe shock and torsional loadings without twisting,racking or otherwise loosening.

It will be noted in FIG. 3 that each leg 20 has a pair of verticallyspaced embossments 30 although only one on each leg is actuallyutilized. This is done, however,

to make the legs universal, eliminating the necessity for arrangement apair of identical studs 50 are utilized. Each has a pair of oppositelythreaded ends 51, i.e., one end has a right hand thread and the other aleft hand thread. The center portion or body section 52 of the studs areoifset to form a notch 53. The bottom or back wall 54 of the notch is onthe centerline of the stud and its width is equal to the width of thecenter portion 52. Thus, the centerlines of the threaded holes intowhich the threaded ends 51 of a pair of studs are received may all be ina single plane with the center portions 52, interfitted as illustratedin FIG. 9.

This arrangement eliminates the necessity for dual embossments 30 ineach leg. The interfitting of the center portions 52 prevents the studsfrom rotating and, thus, loosening in service. Also, firm or tight fitbetween the center portions 52 forms a highly stable lock, supportingthe legs against twisting and racking.

FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a modification of this invention adapting itto use with pedestals having an even number of legs more than four. Inthis construction a single polygon spacer 60 is used having one side foreach leg in the pedestal assembly. The spacer 60 has a pair ofoppositely projecting, threaded studs 61. On one end of the spacer is atransverse slot 62 opening through two opposite faces other than thoseassociated with the studs 61. On the other end of the spacer is a secondslot 63 opening through and connecting the remaining two faces.

The studs 61 thread into the embossments 30 of a pair of the legs 20 ofthe pedestal 64. The slot 62 receives the shank of a tie stud 65connecting the pair of legs 20a. The stud 65 may be identical to thestud 31 illustrated in FIG. 3. The slot 63 receives the shank of asecond tie stud 66 connecting the pair of legs 20b. Thus, the cluster oflegs are firmly assembled to and about the spacer 60. In making theassembly, the legs 20 will be attached first. The leg pairs 20a and 20bwill be subassembled and joined to the leg and spacer subassembly bysliding them into position, one from each end of the spacer.

In practice, the individual legs 20 are preferably shipped as separatedisassembled components. To assemble the pedestal, as illustrated inFIGS. 2-5, the user merely has to select a pair of legs, place a bushingabout a stud and then turn the legs on the stud until they are drawntightly against the ends of the bushing. The same operation is completedwith respect to the other pair of legs. One pair of legs is then placedover the other pair of legs and the two pairs are assembled simply bysliding one pair telescopically between the other pair parallel to theshank portions of the legs. No tools are required for this assemblyoperation. Once all four legs have been assembled into a pedestal, thepedestal itself is secured by installation of the screws 42. Thiscompletes the assembly and mounting of the pedestal.

It is obvious that the same basic assembly procedure is followed in theconstructions illustrated in FIGS. 8-11. In the case of the studs 50(FIGS. 8 and 9) care must be exercised that the studs are properlyoriented to readily interfit as they are brought together. The top endsof the legs in all the constructions are stabilized by attachment to asuitable fitting or plate such as the base fitting 3.

While the legs in this preferred embodiment are illustrated as beinganchored to the base fitting 3 by means of projecting lugs 23, it willbe understood that any other suitable means of securing them to the basefitting is embraced within the scope of this invention. As for example,an internally threaded plug may be inserted or press-fitted into theupper ends of the tubular leg member 20. These may be secured to thebase fitting 3 by screws installed downwardly through the fittings intothe threaded openings in the press-fitted lugs.

It will also be recognized that while the legs are shown "to have atapered shape, this is merely a matter of design selection and has nobearing on the invention. The legs themselves may be fabricated from anysuitable material such as metal or plastic. They may also, so far asthis invention is concerned, be either tubular or solid. In either case,this invention may be employed and the results will be the same so far.as operation, function and result are concerned.

It will be further recognized that while the spacers are illustrated ascircular in cross section, with equal facility they may be rectangular,square or elliptical so long as they provide bearing on the ends for thepair of legs to which they are secured and bearing on their sides forthe other pair of legs involved in the pedestal assembly.

Having described a preferred embodiment of this invention andmodifications thereof, it will be understood that other modificationsmay be made without departing from the principles of this invention.Such of these modifications as incorporate the principles of thisinvention are to be considered as included in the hereinafter appendedclaims unless these claims, by their language, expressly stateotherwise.

We claim:

A furniture base comprising: a plurality of standards arranged in pairs;the standards of each pair having spaced apart straight shank portionsadjacent one end; a spacer having a plurality of straight faces atension member extending between and joining the standards of each pair;the tension member of one pair being spaced longitudinally of said shankportions from the tension member of the others of said pairs and beingsecured to said spacer and projecting from oppositely disposed faces ofa plurality of straight faces on said spacer; a transverse slot at oneend of said spacer opening through another pair of oppositely disposedstraight faces, another transverse slot at the other end of said spacerand opening through at another pair of oppositely disposed straightfaces, said transverse slots each telescopically receiving a tensionmember, said spacer embracing each of said tension members and havingone of said faces in bearing with each of said standards whereby saidstandards are locked together as a pedestal.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS303,238 Strifier et al. Aug. 5, 1884 1,036,203 Fackler Aug. 20, 19121,397,764 Kunishige Nov. 22, 1921 1,654,539 Ferris Jan. 3, 19281,997,660 Smith Apr. 16, 1935 2,458,890 Booth Jan. 11, 1949 2,474,318Molla June 28, 1949 2,528,950 Engstrom Nov. 7, 1950 2,562,022 Duer July24, 1951 2,664,141 Musselman Dec. 29, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 155,256Australia Feb. 12, 1954

